A Bears Teammate For The Ages

Payton Kin, Friends Recall Unique Legacy

November 06, 1999|By Fred Mitchell, Tribune Staff Writer.

Walter Payton always had a knack for bringing out the best in his teammates--the best performances, the best laughs and the best inspiration.

It was that way during his Hall of Fame career and that way again Friday during his funeral. Virtually every member of the 1985 Super Bowl team alternately shed tears and shared hugs during a private memorial service at Life Changers International Church in Barrington Hills.

Many dignitaries, including Gov. George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, also were among the mourners at an invitation-only private service. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who later said the NFL's Man of the Year Award one day may bear Payton's name, joined friends and relatives to pay final respects to the league's career rushing leader.

Owners Ed and Virginia McCaskey and team President Ted Phillips headed the Bears entourage. Several Bears greats, including Hall of Fame back Gale Sayers, attended.

Payton died Monday of bile duct cancer, nine months after disclosing he had a rare liver disease. He was 45.

The public will pay its respects Saturday during a memorial service at Soldier Field, where Payton entertained so many fans during his 13-year career.

His widow, Connie, and children, Jarrett and Brittney, were among family members who greeted friends during visitation before Friday's service. A huge portrait of Payton in his Bears uniform stood behind them. Payton's body was cremated and his ashes were in an urn on the altar.

Pastor Gregory Dickow told mourners "this is a celebration of Walter Payton's life," and added "this is Walter's home-going . . . he is in a better place. He made his greatest gain on Monday when he died. He gained heaven. This is a celebration because this man, Walter Payton, is with his Lord Jesus Christ."

Payton's son, Jarrett, a freshman football player at the University of Miami, eulogized his father in an emotional, anecdotal tribute. Jarrett recalled how difficult it was for his father to communicate with him in public because so many others tried to listen in on their conversations. From the time Jarrett was a young child, Payton would use a whistle in public to get his son's attention or to deliver a sign of encouragement.

When Jarrett played in his first college game against Boston College this year, Payton was too ill to attend the game.

"But I swear I heard a whistle in the crowd, and I turned around and didn't see him," Jarrett said. "I will always remember that moment.

"Many of you knew my father as a football player or businessman. I knew him as dad. He was my hero. My mother, my sister and I will miss him . . . but he is in a place where there is no sickness, no pain."

Eddie Payton, Walter's brother, shared several humorous and sentimental stories about his famous sibling.

"My memory is a lot like my stature--short, but not bad," he said.

NFL sportscaster John Madden called Payton the "greatest football player I have ever seen. He was the total package. There are three kinds of people--those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who don't know what's happening. Walter made something happen."

Mike Singletary emphasized Payton's courage and unselfishness "and acceptance of the Lord" in his remarks. Singletary also urged his former teammates not to wait for another such sad occasion to stay in contact.